By Mary Ann Wasilka
Published December 1999
The Rides To Work Committee has been meeting out of The Working Centre for the past two years. It started with the initiative of one person — Maxwell Meikle — who had a particular concern about how people on a limited income can get to job interviews and to work in hard to reach places. Maxwell talked to everyone about this issue and a group has continued to meet since this time. In general we have focused on two directions — a spin-off group is focusing on an alternative transportation system that will provide rides to work in hard-to-reach places. The group that meets at The Working Centre is striving to draw attention to the needs of low-income people around transportation.
Recently we have held discussions with the Region of Waterloo, which will be taking over the bus system as of January 1, 2000, advocating on behalf of low income bus users. The Health and Social Services Committee recently approved a new fund in the Social Services budget to further assist Social Assistance recipients with bus fares that are often too expensive. As well, the Social Services department has committed to helping any social assistance recipient who finds a job to get to that job until they get their first pay cheque.
These are small gains but ones that can make a difference to individuals. As well, we hope to assist in initiating a Transit Users Group to act as a voice in these issues as the Region takes over the bus system.
